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Community leaders who are taking part in the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association convention plan on bending the ears of provincial politicians Friday, as eight members of Premier Kathleen Wynne's cabinet — and the leaders of both Ontario opposition parties — will be in Thunder Bay to attend the event.

Incoming NOMA president Dave Canfield said he thinks their presence shows the north is becoming more important.

Kenora Mayor David Canfield. (Supplied)

"The fact of the matter is that the future of Ontario is in rural and northern Ontario. It's not in that corridor between Windsor and Ottawa anymore," Canfield said.

"That future of the Golden Horseshoe is going to deteriorate. I mean it's the opportunity around our natural resources that is going to drive this province."